Top educators honoured with Premier's Teacher Scholarships

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian today congratulated 21 of the State’s best teachers whose commitment to quality education has been rewarded with a 2017 Premier’s Teacher Scholarship.

The scholarships are open to all NSW teachers from government and non-government schools and preschools, as well as TAFE NSW Institutes and provide recipients with $10,000-$15,000 in funds for a five-week study tour.

“These scholarships provide teachers with the unique opportunity to explore their field of expertise by visiting some of the world's most highly acclaimed schools and centres for teaching and learning,” Ms Berejiklian said.

“It’s also great news for our students, who benefit from the new knowledge, teaching methods and skills these teachers bring back to their classrooms.”

The teachers will investigate subjects like harnessing digital technologies in classrooms, exploring augmented and virtual reality for education purposes, preventing and supporting youth with depression and the continuing value of English in a STEM world.

The Premier’s Teacher Scholarship recipients were presented with their awards at a reception at the State Library of New South Wales on Wednesday night.

The event was also attended by Education Minister Rob Stokes, Early Childhood Minister Sarah Mitchell and Assistant Minister for Skills Adam Marshall.

Mr Stokes said the scholarships were a wonderful chance for exemplary educators to get the opportunity to further pursue their fields of knowledge. He encouraged more teachers to put themselves forward for study opportunities next year.

“This is an amazing opportunity that can really transform a teacher’s professional career by broadening their knowledge and expanding their horizons,” Mr Stokes said.

He said that since 1999 more than 400 teachers across NSW have received Premier’s Teacher Scholarships.

The 2017 program has 21 scholarships being awarded across 17 program areas.

“It’s all about enriching the learning experiences of our students by providing our best teachers the opportunity to become world experts in education,” Mr Stokes said.